Kawhi Leonard scores career-high 55 as Clippers down Pistons

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 55 points, James Harden added 28 and the LA Clippers extended their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 112-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

Leonard made 17 of 26 from the floor, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range, and made 16 of 17 free throws, his only blemish at the line coming in the third quarter that ended his streak of 64 consecutive shots made all this month. He scored 26 of his points in the third quarter.

Nicolas Batum scored 12 points, while Leonard added 11 rebounds and five steals for Los Angeles, which lost 10 of 11 games heading into its four-game series.

The Clippers veteran had three starters – Harden, Batum and Brook Lopez – aged 36 or older. All five starters were in their 30s, with Kris Dunn (31) and Leonard (34).

Cade Cunningham finished with 27 points for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons after being held scoreless in the first half while struggling. Jalen Duren had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Jaden Ivey added 11 points for Detroit, which has lost consecutive games for only the second time this season.

Playing without center Ivica Zubac for the third straight game, Los Angeles was in business from the start. The Clippers’ first double-digit lead came four minutes into the game at 16-6 on a 3-pointer from Harden.

The Clippers led by as many as 20 points in the first half when Leonard scored 25 points. The Pistons pulled within nine twice in the third quarter before a 16-5 run gave the Clippers another 20-point lead at 81-61 on a 3-pointer by Leonard.

Leonard became the second player in franchise history to score at least 40 points in consecutive home games, joining Bob McAdoo.